Ken Park won't screen at Festival

The controversial film Ken Park will not screen at this year's Sydney Film Festival after organisers today said they had "exhausted all avenues of appeal".

Festival organisers received a letter this morning from NSW Attorney General Bob Debus outlining the NSW government's position.

"Festival guidelines ... clearly state that films that have either been classified X or RC (Refused Classification) will not be granted an exemption to be shown at a film festival," the letter said.

"I regret therefore that I am not in a position to direct that an exemption be granted."

Last month, the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) refused to classify the movie, which reportedly depicts real, rather than simulated, sex between underage people.

Sydney Film Festival director Gayle Lake today said the festival would accept the decision and rejected calls by some to proceed with the screening regardless.

"Not only would such a screening be illegal ... but it could also affect the future status of the festival," Ms Lake said.

"Reaching the decision not to screen the film was very difficult and I am very disappointed our adult festival patrons won't have the opportunity to see and debate the film."

The film's scheduled screenings at the State Theatre will be replaced by a public forum on censorship at 3pm (AEST) tomorrow at the State Theatre. Co-director of Ken Park, Larry Clark, will speak via satellite and other panellists are Margaret Pomeranz representing lobby group Watch on Censorship (WOC), Julie Rigg representing the Film Critics Circle of Australia and former Deputy Chief Censor David Haines. Journalist and WOC representative David Marr will chair the forum.
This year's Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner American Splendor will screen at 8.45pm Thursday as a late replacement for Ken Park.

Based on the acclaimed comic book first published in 1976 about the everyday moments that comprise one manís life, American Splendor immerses the audience in the worldview of Harvey Pekar. The film is a blend of archival footage of the real-life Pekar and his frequent visits on the Letterman Show, actors' performance, and wild illustrative sequences.